Casa Rocca Piccola, Valletta

Historic Building in Valletta

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Continentaleurope

Tucked within Valletta's golden limestone streets, Casa Rocca Piccola offers one of the most authentic and personal cultural experiences in Malta. This 16th-century palazzo, still home to the noble de Piro family, opens its doors to visitors curious about the private lives behind the city's baroque façades. Unlike a traditional museum, Casa Rocca Piccola feels intimate and alive, with its mix of antique furniture, ancestral portraits, and the faint scent of old wood and candle wax that seems to whisper stories from the past.

A visit here feels like stepping back in time while being warmly welcomed into someone's home. Knowledgeable guides—and often family members themselves—lead tours that share not just historical facts but anecdotes of daily life, family traditions, and Valletta's social scene across centuries. This is one of the Things to do in Valletta that connects travelers to the city's living heritage. From its grand salons to the wartime tunnels below, the house mirrors Malta's resilience, elegance, and evolving identity.

History and Significance
Things to See and Do
Practical Tips
How to Get There
Is Casa Rocca Piccola Worth Visiting?
Nearby Attractions

History and Significance

Casa Rocca Piccola was built in the late 1500s, soon after Valletta's founding by the Knights of St. John. Designed for Don Pietro La Rocca, an Italian knight, it later became the residence of the de Piro family, one of Malta's most distinguished noble lineages. For over four centuries, the family has preserved and inhabited the house, maintaining its historic furnishings and charm. The palazzo's name—“small house on the rock”—reflects both its sturdy structure and its role as a private stronghold of Maltese aristocracy.

Things to See and Do

Inside, visitors can explore a collection of rooms brimming with heritage: a family dining hall with portraits of ancestors, an opulent drawing room lined with frescoes, and a library that feels frozen in time. The palace's most fascinating feature lies underground—a network of air raid shelters carved during World War II. Descending into these tunnels reveals how even the grandest homes were not immune to the island's wartime struggles. It's this juxtaposition of refinement and endurance that makes Casa Rocca Piccola one of the Top sights in Valletta and a highlight of any walking tour of Valletta.

Practical Tips

Best time to visit: Morning or early afternoon to enjoy guided tours in smaller groups
Entrance fee in Euros: Around €9 (includes guided tour)
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
Official website: casaroccapiccola.com
How long to spend: 1–1.5 hours
Accessibility: Limited wheelchair access due to historic layout
Photography tip: Capture the ornate courtyard and the sunlight streaming through its arcades
Guided tours: Conducted hourly and often by family members
Nearby food options: Several cafés and restaurants nearby along Republic Street

How to Get There

Casa Rocca Piccola is located on Republic Street, Valletta's main thoroughfare, just a short walk from the City Gate and Upper Barrakka Gardens. Public buses from across Malta terminate nearby, and the Valletta ferry terminal is within a 10-minute walk.

Is Casa Rocca Piccola Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Casa Rocca Piccola is one of the Must-see places in Valletta for anyone interested in the island's noble past and living traditions. It offers a personal, human glimpse into Maltese history—where art, family, and resilience intertwine.

Nearby Attractions

St. John's Co-Cathedral – Home to Caravaggio's masterpieces and stunning baroque interiors.
Upper Barrakka Gardens – A peaceful terrace overlooking the Grand Harbour.
Grandmaster's Palace – Once the official seat of the Knights of St. John.
Lascaris War Rooms – A subterranean command center from World War II.
National Museum of Archaeology – Tracing Malta's prehistory through fascinating artifacts.

The Casa Rocca Piccola appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Valletta!

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